Mercifully, the Brandon Aiyuk contract extension saga with the San Francisco 49ers came to a largely expected end on Thursday night as the standout wide receiver signed a four-year, $120 million extension with San Francisco, getting $76 million in guaranteed money in the process.
But prior to signing that deal Thursday night to get him back on the field ahead of the 49ers’ season opener, Aiyuk was running out of time and options. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, who appeared on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football Friday morning, it was either sign the deal that had been on the table the last week or so, or be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.